Thursday, September 30, 2010

Got two new international posters for you from Disney's TANGLED (via /Film). See how the characters and environment has no sharp edges at all? Very World of Warcraft isn't it? The whole movie is refreshingly the same as I can attest as I saw an advanced early look at footage at The 3D Experience.

Click images to enlarge...

Directed by Byron Howard & Nathan Greno (the co-director and head of story on Bolt respectively), this new telling of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel (the original title of the film), will transport audiences “to a stunning CG fantasy world complete with the iconic tower, an evil witch, a gallant hero and, of course, the mysterious girl with the long golden tresses. Expect adventure, heart, humor, and hair, lots of hair.” The lead heroine is voiced by Mandy Moore while Chuck’s Zachary Levi will play a “dashing bandit” named Flynn Ryder who hits the road with the “rebellious, teenage hair apparent.”Previous director Glen Keane developed a new look for this computer animated film, which is said to look and feel more like a traditional hand-drawn Disney Classic, but in 3D. Apparently the film uses a non-photorealistic rendering technique which will make the surface look like it is painted but still containing depth and dimensions. The movie’s visual style is being based on French Rococo artist Jean-Honore Fragonard’s painting “The Swing”.

The end result is so fantastic! You are going to love TANGLED if you love animations. Walt Disney himself would love this movie. Mark November 24 on your calendar!

Looking like some sort of evil twin of the Statue of Liberty, Jigsaw makes his final marketing appearance ever with this 3D effect poster.

"This October, one of the biggest, most successful horror franchises in movie history arrives in theaters in vivid, chilling 3-D with the release of Lionsgate’s SAW 3D.

As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw’s brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror...

The first theatrical feature to be shot exclusively on the cutting-edge SI-3D digital camera system, SAW 3D brings the horrifying games of Jigsaw to life like never before. The film stars Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell and Sean Patrick Flannery. SAW 3D is directed by Kevin Greutert, produced by Oren Koules, Mark Burg and Gregg Hoffman. SAW 3D is a Lionsgate Release. Twisted Pictures Presents a Burg/Koules/Hoffman Production."

Curious yet? How will all these SAW movies finally come to an end? There has got to be some sort of massive twist in this thing. Can't wait!! Opens October 29.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Active negotiations are now underway (THR) for Natalie Portman to join Alfonso Cuaron's much hyped 3D project GRAVITY. Portman is now the top contender after another A list actress bowed out - I won't point out who it was again because it seems her saying no to the project has more Internet traction than the movie itself! Ridiculous.

Anyway I am VERY happy with Warner Bros. targeting Portman for the role but she has to break out the chops for this one. She will be owning the screen for much of the movie in a solo capacity. Can she swing it? I hope so. She will have to dig deep. I like her in the role much more than Scarlett Johansson.

Here is the supposed storyline (via Scriptshadow - SPOILER ALERT):The script follows Ryan Stone, an engineer whose career path unexpectedly puts her on a space shuttle, doing repairs. (In a more recent draft, she’s working on repairing the Hubble.) She’s paired with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski. But things go very wrong. The Russians just blew up something that “creates a chain reaction of spraying debris that hits multiple satellites, which also end up exploding, and all of a sudden thousands of pieces of debris are heading straight towards the space shuttle.”Cutting forward a bit, that debris destroys the shuttle and eventually leaves Ryan alone, trying to make her way to the International Space Station and rescue.

Everything that can go wrong does go wrong as the movie becomes a series of near death experiences. Ryan must jump from point to point – whether it be to a vessel, a station, or an oxygen tank – and survive long enough to make the journey to the next point after that (and so on). Each destination is accompanied by dangerous debris, dropping oxygen, and the strong chance that whatever she’s trying to get to might not be there. Think Apollo 13, but with the odds stacked 1 million times higher against you, if that’s possible.

See what I mean? Portman will have to be perfect. I think she can do it. Can't wait for those long lingering space shots from Cuaron!!

Wow. Director Michael Apted is not involved with the 3D conversion of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER?

Apparently so according to Joe Dante, a friend of Apted (via herald.ie):"A lot of directors don't necessarily want to add 3D, it's done without their consent. My friend Michael Apted just did a Narnia picture, and he was very upset that they insisted that his finished film be turned into 3D, because he had no intention when he was making it of doing it. He said, 'if I was gonna' do a 3D movie, I would have done it differently'. And the fact is that, when you make a 3D film -- if you're doing it correctly -- you shoot it for 3D. To just take a film that was created to be in 2D, and send it to India and have it come back in this dark, fuzzy, View-Master slide kind of 3D, is a disservice to the movies and it's frankly picking the pockets of the audience."

Very well said Joe. I agree. When you have the availability of the filmmaker you should use him/her absolutely. I would take that stance when talking about catalog conversions too. If you don't think James Cameron or George Lucas won't have any say in their previous efforts being converted - think again!

I am shocked that Apted is not involved. From what I can see, the conversion looks great so far so fingers crossed. But I will always wonder what DAWN TREADER would look like if Apted was involved - I can't help it.

As we have already conjectured, word (hollywoodinhidef) on the street is that Warner Bros. will force Christopher Nolan to shoot or convert BATMAN 3 to 3D (via denofgeek). Not really a surprise but it does echo what my Filmmakers Panel and I discussed at THE 3D EXPERIENCE this past week in New York.

We talked about how James Cameron got it right when he suggested that filmmakers had their chance to own the creative end of this whole 3D toolkit and take projects to the studios, but now it is actually working in reverse: Studios are forcing filmmakers to shoot in 3D.

We also touched on the need for some Directors of Photography to bring in Stereographers and 3D services companies who can "hit the ground running". You would be right in assuming many egos can get bruised quite easily.

Hollywood is no different than any other evolving industry in the world.

Personally I don't think the issue lies with Nolan. I think the issue lies with Wally Pfister who is known to have blatantly bashed 3D. Regardless of whether they shoot native 3D or convert it (and it will be in 3D, no mistake about it), BATMAN 3 will have to be planned to be in 3D. Is Pfister up to the task? I imagine so - he is a very talented individual and I love his 2D work without exception. I just find it interesting that Nolan and Pfister have allowed 3D to envelop them to the point where it appears they are actually not enjoying the privilege of the work.

On the other hand, Nolan and Pfister could come out of the blocks with heads held high and tackle BATMAN 3D with all the bravado that they have earned. I sincerely hope that this is the case. Having a filmmaker like Nolan on board is a huge step forward just as it was with Cameron, Spielberg, Burton, Bay, Snyder, Soderbergh, Scott, Scorsese and Herzog.

Remember when I asked Michael Bay about 3D and he turned it down for TRANSFORMERS 2 as not appropriate and said 3D might be a gimmick? Well he is shooting TF3 in native 3D right now (ourexclusive). And not just going through the motions either - he is belting this one out of the park! Here is what Lorenzo di Bonaventura (TF Producer) had to say (via iamrogue):"We are shooting in 3D and what Michael is gonna do with 3D is gonna blow people’s minds. It is incredibly dynamic because he is not compromising his shooting style. And what I’ve seen so far in 3D has locked off cameras, and Michael is not locking off any cameras. It’s exciting!"

I am confident that as straggling directors add 3D to their toolbelt they will become more and more enamored with it as Bay has seemingly become. I welcome the Nolan/Pfister team to 3D with open arms because who knows what sort of phenomenal creations they will come up with? My anticipation of BATMAN in 3D is through the roof.

Further, DC has to try and stay on top of Marvel's box office right? With THE AVENGERS ramping up, Warners and DC can't afford to fool around. Bring it on!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Some cool news from fast growing MasterImage 3D who supply theatrical 3D systems worldwide: New kid's glasses AND new digs.

Here are their press releases (emphasis is mine):MasterImage 3D, the fastest-growing supplier of digital 3D cinema systems, now offers smaller kid-sized 3D glasses designed to give children the best possible 3D experience in MasterImage 3D-equipped theaters.

The company’s new kid-sized 3D glasses began shipping worldwide this month, just in time for the wide slate of family-friendly 3D movies opening during the holiday season — from Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole to Tangled, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Nutcracker in 3D, Megamind, and Gulliver’s Travels.

Designed to sit securely on children’s smaller faces, the kid-sized MasterImage 3D glasses are fitted with the same advanced, circular polarized lenses as the company’s full-sized glasses. With this new offering, MasterImage 3D now provides theaters with three 3D glasses options: Single-use and reusable adult-sized glasses, and single-use kid-sized glasses.

“With so many 3D features aimed at families, the overall 3D theater experience has to be enjoyable for everyone,” said MasterImage 3D CEO and Chairman, Younghoon Lee. “MasterImage’s kid-sized glasses are light and right-sized, so they don’t slip off and pull kids — and parents — out of the story. Our goal is to help everyone enjoy the experience of 3D.”MasterImage 3D has also expanded its headquarters with a move today into new offices at Raleigh Studios. Located in the heart of Hollywood, MasterImage 3D’s new residence in the long-standing independent studio doubles its footprint and gives the company in-house access to its premiere demonstration and customer training venue, the Charlie Chaplin theatre, which is equipped with the MasterImage digital 3D cinema system.

**AND**

MasterImage 3D’s new headquarters at 5300 Melrose Ave. is located in the Studio’s West Office Building. It houses executive, sales and marketing offices, an on-site depot and customer support space and dedicated R&D for the company’s auto-stereoscopic (glasses-free) 3D displays. Primary R&D and manufacturing continue to be based in Seoul, Korea and the company maintains regional sales offices in Pinewood Studios, UK; Tokyo, Japan; and Beijing, China.

MasterImage 3D CEO and Chairman Younghoon Lee said, “We needed a facility with the resources that could serve both our growing number of theaters in North America and our expanding employee base. Raleigh Studios offered us a flexible setup, and with our 3D digital cinema system installed on the premises we’re able to bring interested theater owners right in to see the technology. It’s important that we’re in a studio setting with a full theater experience so we can better work with our customers and content producers alike as we continue to evolve our technology.”

MasterImage 3D provides pioneering 3D solutions for theaters, mobile devices and gaming. With 2,500 cinema systems installed in 40 countries, MasterImage 3D is the fastest-growing digital 3D cinema system supplier, offering audiences the best, brightest 3D experience while providing exhibitors with a compelling ownership-based pricing model. The company’s auto-stereoscopic display technology enabled one of the world’s first glasses-free 3D mobile phones and its 3D camera ASIC empowers users to create and share 3D content. MasterImage 3D is gearing up to deploy its 3D display units with multiple mobile device manufacturers worldwide with product expected to hit the market in 2011. The company was founded in 2004, is privately held.

I love working with these guys! The child sized glasses were absolutely needed and I am so glad to hear that their offices are moving and growing to suit their needs, especially the Charlie Chaplin Theater. Onward and upward!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

I couldn't be happier! In what I think will be the biggest comic-based movie of all time (yeah, I think TDK could go down a notch), Marvel's THE AVENGERS will in fact be 3D and use AVATAR's motion capture cameras for character creation - at least with The Hulk (played by Mark Ruffalo).

I am assuming that when he says stop motion he is talking performance capture / motion capture. If he hadn't of mentioned AVATAR I would not be able to place the quote really as he clearly doesn't mean Henry Selick will be setting up stop motion puppets to play THE AVENGERS! :-)

And on the Hulk (and therefore THE AVENGERS) being in 3D: "I hope I don't bulge in anyone's face, that's all I have to say."

THE AVENGERS is setting up to absolutely pulverize the box office come May 4, 2012! Yes, a fair amount of anticipation will be set with the performance of THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA and the fact that those will be conversions. I know who is converting THOR and let me say I have trepidation at this point. CAPTAIN AMERICA's conversion is still in bids from what I gather. DO THIS RIGHT GUYS. Don't mess around; spend the time and money.

Whew baby - THE AVENGERS is looking more and more exciting with every announcement!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Hey guys - THE 3D EXPERIENCE has been wild so far and truly enjoyable. I am very happy with being able to meet so many industry and consumer delegates at the show that I have exchanged emails or phone calls with but had not met previously! Everyone impressed me with their passion and vision for modern S3D. I was right at home. Many familiar faces too - great to see you guys again!

I gathered the Filmmakers together just prior to the session so we could get to know each other and build some rapport before heading out on stage and what a great collection of talent! Catherine Owens, who co-directed and produced U2 3D is a creative genius. I can't wait to see what she has done next! Wayne Miller from Action3D spoke about his PHISH 3D concert movie and how he sees things unfolding in the coming years and my good friend James Stewart from Geneva Film always brings a professional and knowledgeable edge to any conversation. I opened up the audience to ask questions at ANY time throughout the session and we had 4 or 5 really great interrogatives. Most in the audience had seen 3D commercials and the unfortunate conversion of CLASH OF THE TITANS which we discussed briefly (I polled them).

The panel was warmly received and we had many come up to us afterward with compliments as to the content we discussed - some wished we could have stayed up there longer. It was an honor and a pleasure to host it. Perhaps we can amp it up somewhat at next year's festival. I know we will :-)

The advance looks at coming feature 3D movies was spectacular!! Here are some brief reports on what I saw:

Disney's TRON: LEGACY - The big one. The one we have been waiting for is not disappointing guys! It. Looks. Stunning. The visuals were so full of new and enigmatic futuristic content (the TRON world) that you could not take your eyes off the screen for a second for fear of missing something! The 3D was perfect. I firmly believe we have NOT seen the best of the 3D work yet either because the clip was shy of action sequences - something that will elevate the 3D mastery of TRON to supposed AVATAR levels. And beyond? That's what I am hearing from my sources. The gladiator games in this movie are going to knock your socks off. I won't spoil anything right now for you, but suffice to say it will be a wild ride indeed.

Disney's TANGLED - I was very taken by it! I have a sneaking suspicion that some may not like the animation style of the movie which to me looked somewhat similar to how World of Warcraft is presented - many rounded edges and a soft, pastel color palette. The lighting was superb! The sunlight through trees effect for example was thoughtfully done. I thought it held together VERY nicely and is a nice change from what we have been seeing from the other animation houses. Storywise I think Disney is right, young boys should enjoy this movie too. Rapunzel's mother certainly makes you think about what is going on psychologically with Rapunzel and adds a layer of depth that is unexpected with this family movie. I LOVED it. It should do VERY well.Oh and the chameleon's personality was exceptionally well done!

Dreamworks Animation's MEGAMIND - Another great job from the DWA team. Some solid laughs from the Will Ferrell voiced Megamind character will anchor this tentpole to very nice returns. While I am not as enthusiastic about this movie as I was for HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON or KUNG FU PANDA, Dreamworks Animation is definitely heading in the right direction as a company. Visually the 3D looked immaculate, no doubt to the descerning eye of stereoscopic guru Phil McNally and the story is original in that the main arch rival is actually killed off and the movie explores what happens NEXT. No spoilers there - you should already know this from the trailers. You can definitely tell that this movie was built for 3D from the ground up and believe me when I say this: It is appreciated! Top quality here guys.

You guys are going to ask how long the clips were and to be honest I started timing but completely forgot to note the length as the next clip lit up the screen. They were each about 10 to 15 minutes long though. :-)

We are entering the screening portion of the festival today and tomorrow and I am looking forward to seeing so many of the titles! I think tops on my list is NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD in 3D - I have already seen U2 3D three times and tonight will be number 4. Will let you know all about it in the coming days.

I want to say a deep thank you to Nino Balistreri for producing this wondeful 3D festival! He has gone above and beyond the call and you know what? That is exactly what is needed to pull something like this off. It is great working with you and I am looking forward to next year already! Great job. Also I want to point out the support and guidance that Bob Sunshine has given the event! His touch of class is very evident throughout. A perfect team!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

YES - we are finally here! The first official casting call for THE HOBBIT happens this weekend in Wellington, New Zealand. Yet still no "official" green light...

From stuff.co.nz: The Hobbit casting department advertised in The Dominion Post yesterday for "short and tall" people for a preliminary casting call to take place at the Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre in Newtown on Sunday.

They are on the lookout for men aged 16 and over who are 1.23 metres (4ft) to 1.58m (5ft 2in) tall or over 2.03m (6ft 8in). Women, aged 16 or over, must be between 1.2m and 1.53m.

The casting call is not for the many extras that are likely to be needed for the two-part film, but for people to play "scale doubles" for the speaking cast.

A Jackson spokesman said actors playing hobbits and dwarves would be normal adult size. "Scale doubles appear in some wide shots in place of our actors and with other adult actors when we need people to look smaller or taller."

The casting call was for people who fitted those heights. Those that did not would be turned away. There would be other casting calls at a later date for different roles.

More than 4000 extras were cast for The Lord of the Rings.

Despite the casting call, The Hobbit had yet to get the official green light to begin full pre-production and shooting.

"But we do need to be prepared in the event that we get one. That means having a little look around Wellington for scale doubles," the spokesman said.

Baby steps people. Or better said, Hobbit steps. We are getting there! More info when I get it...

A little slow but I am glad this day has finally arrived! The Producer's Guild of America (PGA) is honoring James Cameron with their 2011 Milestone Award. Cameron will be accepting the award during the 22nd Annual PGA ceremony on January 22.

From ProducersGuild.org: The Milestone Award is the Guild’s highest honor that recognizes an individual (or team) who has made historic contributions to the entertainment industry. The Producers Guild has paid tribute to such luminaries as Clint Eastwood, Alfred Hitchcock, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ron Howard & Brian Grazer, and Walt Disney, among others.

“James Cameron is an exceptionally talented producer—a true innovator with the rare combination of technical ingenuity and creative vision,” said Paula Wagner, Chair of the 2011 Producers Guild Awards. “Jim has continued to change the film landscape with his ability to deliver groundbreaking masterpieces that present audiences and the industry with unrivaled beauty, originality and impact.”

“As one of the most respected and admired storytellers of our time, James Cameron has inspired audiences with his creativity time and time again. We are proud to recognize his many talented contributions to the film and entertainment industry with the Guild’s highest honor,” said PGA Co-Presidents Presidents Hawk Koch and Mark Gordon.

Born in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada, Cameron grew up in the historic village of Chippawa, near Niagara Falls. In 1971, he moved to Brea, California where he studied physics at Fullerton Junior College while working as a machinist and, later, a truck driver. Cameron quit his trucking job in 1978 and raised money from local dentists to produce a 35mm short film. The visual effects in this film led to work on Roger Corman’s BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS (1980). In 1983 Cameron wrote three scripts: RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART 2, ALIENS, and THE TERMINATOR. He directed THE TERMINATOR, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, in 1984.

Cameron subsequently directed ALIENS (1986) and then wrote and directed THE ABYSS (1989). Following that he wrote, produced and directed TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (1991), TRUE LIES (1994), TITANIC (1997) and AVATAR (2009). He also co-wrote and produced POINT BREAK (1991) and STRANGE DAYS (1994), as well as produced SOLARIS (2003).

His films have blazed new trails in visual effects and set numerous performance records both domestically and abroad. AVATAR currently holds both the domestic and worldwide box office records having grossed over $2.7 billion at the global box office, beating the previous record holder, TITANIC, which held that record for 12 years. Cameron’s films have also earned numerous nominations and awards from a variety of organizations, including TITANIC’s 14 Academy Award nominations (a record) and 11 Oscars (the most any movie has received), including Cameron’s 3 Oscars for Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Editing. AVATAR won the Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Picture. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won three.

Of course most of us are familiar with his work in stereoscopic 3D and that he has been at the forefront of bringing modern 3D and performance capture to the masses. He is arguably the poster-boy for 3D and perfcap today and justifiably so: AVATAR has reset the bar much, MUCH higher. Cameron also co-invented the FUSION 3D Camera system with Vince Pace (a leading platform of choice today) and is active with NASA's Advisory Council and the Mars Science Laboratory Mastcam (the first 3D motion imaging camera to operate on another planet). We just recently discovered that Cameron is diving the amazing depths of the Mariana Trench to shoot, what else... 3D.

Congratulations Jim Cameron! You have indeed earned this award and it has been a pleasure to see the projects you have put together over the years. Looking forward to what you have in store for us down the road...

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Just got 5 new SAW 3D images hot from Lionsgate to share with you guys!

Click the photos to enlarge.

The first two photos include Costas Mandylor as 'Hoffman' and a rather intense scene - man, are her eyes bugged out! Nice job.

SAW 3D's storyline:As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw's brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror...

The second set of two photos has Sean Patrick Flanery starring as 'Bobby' and director Kevin Greutert on the set in Toronto - a VERY public scene.

The final shot below shows Betsy Russell starring as 'Jill' who has clearly had better days... :-)

SAW 3D slices and jigsaws its way into theaters everywhere on October 29. The official movie site ishere.

I have to say I have been waiting for this one to arrive! Personally, I love the SAW movies even if they are getting long in the tooth.

I think this final one in 3D will resonate with many, many individuals. Enough to force further sequels? That I don't know, but one thing is certain: I am sure there will be plenty of nasty surprises in this one to keep us satisfied for awhile!

I have three promo posters for you (via Collider), two of which are really only showing us official titles and font - but information so far on these properties has been hard to come by so have a look...

First up is the promo poster for SPIDER-MAN IN 3D - which I believe has already seen the light of day earlier in the year. Can't say enough how pleased I am that one of the best comicbook characters of all time is going S3D!

Oh, and I never liked Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane. Never bought it. So while I would like to see another actress in the role, apparently Mary Jane will not be in this re-imagining of SPIDER-MAN.

The $80 million SPIDER-MAN IN 3D reboot is slated to swing into theaters on July 3, 2012.

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Next up is ARTHUR CHRISTMAS from Aardman Animations (if they sound familiar it's because they are behind WALLACE AND GROMIT), however ARTHUR CHRISTMAS will not be stop motion but rather a CGI film (Variety).

Should be a rather entertaining movie if they can capture lightning once again as they did with the WALLACE AND GROMIT characters. Sony Pictures Imageworks is also working on the animation with Aardman.

Look for ARTHUR CHRISTMAS in theaters November 11, 2011.

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Finally a look at the promo poster for MEN IN BLACK 3 (the newest title anyway!). This time they are using the "3" as one would cube a number in mathematics.

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are indeed returning for this third iteration of the MIB franchise along with director Barry Sonnenfeld. Josh Brolin will be playing a younger Agent K (TLJ's character).

Supposedly the storyline"has Yaz (Jemaine Clement) traveling back in time to kill K and Agent J has to go to 1969 and team up with a young K in order to stop Yaz from setting off a chain of events that will destroy the world in the future."

I have always liked the premise of the MIB movies, but time travel? I guess time will tell on this one - it must be a great story to have Smith sign up so perhaps I am a little too paranoid about it. Love that it is going 3D though - should look brilliant!

Monday, September 20, 2010

I am liking these posters! Take a look at a new series of posters from Sony for PRIEST. I feel they are setting pretty cool expectations that we are going to see something not quite like we have ever seen before in a vampire movie. Of course there is the old west vibe, but also the futuristic world is full of decent imagery - sets an interesting tone!

Storyline:PRIEST is set in a world ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires. Paul Bettany is Priest, a legendary warrior priest during the last Vampire War, who now lives in obscurity among the other human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian cities controlled by the Church. But when his 18-year-old niece is abducted by a murderous pack of vampires in the desolate wastelands outside, Priest breaks his sacred vows and ventures out to find her and seek vengeance upon those responsible, especially their brutal leader (Karl Urban). Priest is joined on his crusade by his niece’s boyfriend, Hicks (Cam Gigandet), a local outpost sheriff, and Priestess (Maggie Q), a member of his former legion of vampire-killers who has otherworldly fighting skills.

I thought Karl Urban's BLACK HAT poster looks more like Hugh Jackman! I had to look twice lol.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Great news for the Executive Forum attendees of THE 3D EXPERIENCE in Times Square: Extended footage will be screened for Disney's TRON: LEGACY and TANGLED! PLUS Dreamworks Animation's MEGAMIND! Obviously these three tentpoles are highly anticipated and an early look at extended footage is a great way to experience what is possible with today's and tomorrow's 3D.

Further, Consumers will be able to enter contests to win entry to these very same screenings! THE 3D EXPERIENCE are also giving away 3D glasses, 3D cameras and 3DTVs!! Plenty of surprises are in store.

It is the balance of exciting material for consumers and industry professionals alike that has been so pumped about the 3 Day festival running September 24 - 26!Join us!! More information can be foundright here.

EXCLUSIVE 3D FOOTAGE OF TRON: LEGACY AND TANGLED TO LEAP OUT AT DELEGATES OF THE 3D EXPERIENCE FESTIVALEvent to Feature “Special 3D Sneak Peeks” Screening for Registered Attendees

NEW YORK, Sept 20, 2010—The 3D Experience, New York’s first Annual 3D Entertainment and Technology Festival, today unveiled the line-up for its Executive Forum “Special 3D Sneak Peeks” screening, which will feature a special viewing of extended footage from TRON: Legacy and TANGLED, and the U.S. premiere of City of Ruins at 6:00 p.m. on Fri, Sept. 24 in Times Square, New York.

The Executive Forum is the portion of The 3D Experience festival that is geared towards industry professionals, offering them the opportunity to learn what’s next in the world of 3D through presentations, networking opportunities and technical demonstrations. The 3D Experience also features activities for consumers, including the 3D Showroom at the Discovery Times Square Exposition on 226 W. 44th St., and 3D film screenings at the AMC Theatres Empire 25 on 234 W. 42nd St.

“The agenda of events we have planned for our Executive Forum delegates offers them, hands down, the most thought-provoking and visionary, as well as pragmatic look at the 3D industry of today and tomorrow," said Nino Balistreri, managing director for The 3D Experience. "We are excited to add this exclusive footage screening of TRON: Legacy and TANGLED—two of the most anticipated 3D films this year—to that agenda. It’s our way of saying thank you for participating, with entertainment that will further cement the prediction that 3D is here to stay.”

Prior to Friday night’s “Special 3D Sneak Peeks” screening, the full-day Executive Forum portion of the festival will offer registered delegates the opportunity to view presentations from some of the industry’s most respected 3D thought leaders. HP CTO Phil McKinney, NASDAQ SVP Robert H. McCooey, Jr., and IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond are some of the top headliners participating in the inaugural event. For the latest information on the speaker line-up and panels, please visit: http://the3dexperience.org/?page_id=545

Other special features for Executive Forum delegates include the NASDAQ Opening Night VIP Reception Presented by LG Electronics USA on Thurs, Sept. 23; and exclusive 3D technical demonstrations, including a special delegate-only event, the 3D TV “Test Drive”. The 3D TV “Test Drive” takes place for Executive Forum delegates on Sat, Sept. 25 at the NASDAQ MarketSite and offers an in depth experience of the top 3D TV brands.

ABOUT TANGLEDWalt Disney Pictures presents “Tangled,” one of the most hilarious, hair-raising tales ever told. When the kingdom’s most wanted—and most charming—bandit Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi) hides out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn’s curious captor, who’s looking for her ticket out of the tower where she’s been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse, an over-protective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs. In theaters this holiday season in Disney Digital 3D™, “Tangled” is a story of adventure, heart, humor and hair—lots of hair. The film hits U.S. theaters on Nov. 24, 2010. For more information, visit Disney.com/Tangled, like us on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyTangled and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/disneyanimation.

ABOUT TRON: LEGACY“TRON: Legacy” is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that’s unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-winner Jeff Bridges), a man once known as the world’s leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the old Flynn’s Arcade—a signal that could only come from his father—he finds himself pulled into a digital world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of the fearless warrior Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe—a universe created by Kevin himself that has become far more advanced with never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons, landscapes and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape. Presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and scored by Grammy® Award-winning electronic music duo Daft Punk, “TRON: Legacy” hits U.S. theaters on Dec. 17, 2010, in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D. For more information, visit Disney.com/TRON, like us on Facebook: facebook.com/TRON and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/TronLegacy.

ABOUT THE 3D EXPERIENCEThe 3D Experience is committed to creating large-scale interactive programs that bring together leading minds, leading products and leading experiences. Event Partners for The 3D Experience include NASDAQ OMX, Best Buy, National CineMedia, IMAX, AMC, Technicolor and Discovery TSX. Sponsors include LG Electronics USA, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc., 3ality Digital, Panasonic, NVIDIA, AT&T, Northern Lights Entertainment, 3D Eye Solutions, BodySound Technologies, Texas Instruments, RealD, 3DMedia, Jump 3D, Samsung, Sony Digital Cinema, MasterImage, Spatial View, Polaroid Premium 3D Glasses, Hello Charlie, Legend 3D and Passmore Lab. Supporters include National Geographic Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Red Bull Records, Lionsgate, IMS Research and International 3D Society. The 3D Experience is produced by e5 Global Media, a diversified company with leading assets in the media and entertainment arenas. For more information and to register for The 3D Experience visit www.the3DExperience.org. Connect with The 3D Experience on Facebook at www.facebook.com/3dexperience and Twitter at twitter.com/the3dexperience.

MarketSaw is a media sponsor of THE 3D EXPERIENCE. Jim Dorey is also moderating the festival'sFilmmakers Panel.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Super update on the upcoming AVATAR Collector's Edition Blu-ray for you! It is not just the extended AVATAR movie you will be buying, but a heckuva lot more.

Bleedingcool (original source BBFC) has outlined the following disc details:

- Deleted Scenes - Never Before Seen: Wow - a astonishing 68 minutes and 4 seconds!- User's Guide For Viewing Unfinished Shots: 3 minutes, 10 seconds.- "The Night Before AVATAR": 4 minutes, 46 seconds.- Production Shorts 1: Sculpting AVATAR, The AMP Suit, Na'vi Costumes, Speaking Na'vi and Pandora Flora. Total featurette time is ~27 minutes.- Test Footage From BROTHER TERMITE: James Cameron was going to adapt this novel into a movie! An alien invasion story. Cameron used some performance capture in this footage and it never did get made. 2 minutes of this test footage is included.

Look for the DVD and Blu-ray AVATAR Collector's Edition to be launched November 16. The 3D Blu-ray will apparently be bundled with new Panasonic 3DTV purchases exclusively for the short term.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Sony has announced (at the Tokyo Game Show) that the PS3 will be getting the long awaited firmware update that allows the game consoles to play 3D Blu-ray movies.

The firmware update is v3.50 and is available September 21. Of course the Playstation 3 already supports stereoscopic 3D gaming with available titles such as WipeoutHD, MotorStorm 3D Rift, SuperStardust 3 and the upcoming Killzone 3 and MotorStorm Apocalypse."3D Blu-ray 3D Disc playback, in addition to stereoscopic 3D gaming and stereoscopic photo support will deliver users a total 3D package for PS3 owners," James Gallagher, blog manager at Sony Europe wrote on the official PlayStation blog.

*AND*

Kojima has announced (also at the Tokyo Game Show) that METAL GEAR SOLID 3: SNAKE EATER will be released on the upcoming handheld Nintendo 3DS system sometime in 2011.

The game will be a port of the existing PS2 title with no new graphics and will use the 3DS' 3D gaming power and the ability to display 3D without the need for glasses (called autostereoscopic). It will still look gorgeous especially in portable, easy to use 3D!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

**UPDATE Sep 17 - I just found out that the fine folks at PassmoreLab did the all the 3D work for this project! Should be an awesome result!!

FURTHER - Ian from the UK replied to my question about whether this movie was screened last year in his country:"With reference to your post. This movie was on limited release in the UK last Christmas under the title The Nutcracker : The Untold Story. I'm not sure if was shown in 3D. It would be interesting to see if there is a rerun this year as I've been told it's a great family movie."

This movie has an interesting pedigree - bring it on!

Apparently this movie was released last year in the UK around Christmas?If one of you Brits could confirm that in the comments that would be great!

Andrei Konchalovsky's THE NUTCRACKER 3D has a trailer now (via FirstShowing) and a North American release date slated as November 24, but I have nothing absolutely official on it.

Here is the storyline:From the imagination of acclaimed Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky, the cherished story of The Nutcracker will be brought to life in spectacular 3D this holiday season. THE NUTCRACKER IN 3D follows nine-year-old Mary (Elle Fanning) whose dull Viennese Christmas is suddenly filled with excitement and adventure following the arrival of her beloved Uncle Albert (Nathan Lane) and his gift of an enchanted nutcracker. On Christmas night, Mary's new friend, The Nutcracker (Charlie Rowe) or "NC," comes to life and takes her on a wondrous journey into his magical world of fairies, sugarplums, and other Christmas toys which come to life. Mary soon realizes that this fantastical kingdom is facing danger from the tyrannical rule of the evil Rat King (John Turturro) and his devious mother (Frances de la Tour). When NC is taken hostage, Mary and her newfound toy friends must uncover the secret of the Rat King to rescue NC and his kingdom. Based on the story that inspired acclaimed Russian composer Piotr Tchaikovsky to create the music for the iconic ballet, the film includes eight exciting new songs penned by Oscar-winning lyricist and librettist Sir Tim Rice (The Lion King, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar).

I don't have a heckuva lot more information than you do at this point - so watch the trailer and let me know what you think. Some of the effects look outstanding and visually the film looks wonderful - but some of the child actors need a little bit more "act" in them.

Great news! Sunglasses manufacturer Oakley announced they are launching a line of optically correct 3D glasses! Oakley is utilizing a curved lens system that allows you to view the entire screen without moving your head; they call it "Panoramic Perception". Supposedly the glasses enhance the alignment and clarity of 3D images and will be available before the holidays this year.

The photo shows Jeffrey Katzenberg of Dreamworks Animation holding a pair of Oakley 3D glasses. I will have more images of the glasses when they are made available.

Here is the full press release:Oakley, Inc. has announced that it has engineered innovative new 3D eyewear that both complements and optimizes the technology used in the majority of 3D movie theaters around the world. The company’s proprietary frame innovations have been combined with lens technologies that will maximize the 3D experience with an unrivaled level of performance. Taking advantage of Oakley’s new HDO-3D™ technology, premium editions in the new line will be the first 3D eyewear on Earth with optically correct lenses.

“Oakley once again confirms that it’s a truly extraordinary brand,” commented Andrea Guerra, CEO of Luxottica, Oakley’s parent company. “We are very proud of this technological breakthrough, which is the result of our outstanding R&D activities and which we believe will drive the evolution of the whole category.”

“Oakley 3D eyewear will be a milestone in 3D entertainment,” said Oakley CEO Colin Baden. “Through our products and partnerships, Oakley will set the standard for optical performance in 3D.”

Baden continued, “We have been collaborating with key industry partners for some time, including making use of DreamWorks Animation’s facility for testing purposes. Oakley is developing a premium product segment with a range of 3D eyewear offerings, and our R&D has achieved unparalleled visual clarity while extending the wearer’s peripheral viewing angle and providing truer alignment of 3D images. This is in addition to the quality, comfort, durability and precise fit of Oakley frame technology, along with styling that sets the high mark for today’s eyewear designs.”

Baden added, “With shutter-based 3D systems, you’re wearing glasses with added weight because they hold a battery, and it requires recharging. Oakley 3D eyewear utilizes the popular system known as ‘passive polarized’ to let the lenses do the job with no need for a battery.”

“It is inspiring that a company with such a rich heritage of innovation has entered into the 3D entertainment market,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO and Director of DreamWorks Animation. “With all of our work in creating 3D cinematic experiences, we are thrilled that Oakley has advanced the performance of 3D lenses to help audiences get the most out of these films with superior clarity and color,” Katzenberg concluded.

Oakley 3D eyewear will be available prior to the 2010 holiday season. It will initially be sold through premium optical distribution channels in the U.S., followed by a global launch in 2011.

Oakley is pursuing partnerships with manufacturers of home 3D systems that utilize passive polarization. This will allow consumers to use the same eyewear for home and cinema 3D entertainment.

Oakley will provide a range of 3D eyewear designs to address the scope of needs and desires of movie enthusiasts, aficionados and those who will utilize Oakley 3D eyewear for home systems. For its premium editions of this eyewear, the company invented HDO-3D. Oakley High Definition Optics® (HDO®) was developed to give athletes the highest possible levels of clarity and visual performance, and now HDO-3D will do the same for audiences all over the globe as they experience 3D entertainment with a never-before-seen degree of fidelity.

In addition to the first optically correct 3D eyewear in the world, Oakley has achieved the first 3D lenses ever made with high-wrap curvature, essential for maximizing the wearer’s field of vision. A full panoramic view can be experienced without the need to turn one’s head in order to see what is happening at the corners of the theater screen.

The proprietary optical technologies of Oakley 3D lenses are combined with the company’s industry-leading frame innovations. Oakley 3D eyewear is composed of durable yet lightweight materials. The company’s renowned Three-Point Fit retains the lenses in precise optical align ment and keeps the frame comfortably in place without the unbalanced pressure points common with ordinary frames.

Visit Oakley.com to learn more about the company’s optical innovations.

I have been waiting for this announcement! Time to start bringing my own 3D glasses to movies...

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Our friends at PassmoreLab are presenting what seems to be a pretty cool psychological thriller entitled IRON DOORS 3D at the 3DFF on Friday, October 1 in Los Angeles. PassmoreLab was in charge of the 3D and the 80 minute feature film was directed by Stephen Manual and stars Axel Wedekind. Read more about Wedekind's method acting in MarketSaw's exclusive release below.

Link to the trailer is in the green text at the bottom of the post!

Here's the exclusive press release found here first (emphasis is mine)!

Indie psycho thriller “Iron Doors 3D” will premiere on Friday, October 1st as part of the 3DFF Hollywood at the Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) located in the heart of the stunningly redesigned Sunset and Vine district of Hollywood, it was announced today in a joint statement by San Diego-based 3D Production studio PassmoreLab and Fullfeedback Productions of Germany.

The 80-minute feature was directed by Stephen Manuel and stars Axel Wedekind. PassmoreLab handled all aspects of 3D production out of San Diego.

“I had a good feeling about this film,” said Greg Passmore, president of PassmoreLab. “It captured my imagination from the start, and it has quite an unusual approach to the conventional what’s-behind-that-freaky-door fright flick. I knew this deviant, claustrophobic story would translate well into 3D.”

The film is a twisted tale of one man’s intense struggle to free himself from inside a menacing locked vault. He must escape before he dies of dehydration, and is only companions are a locked steel cabinet, a swarm of flies, and a dead rat. He has no idea how he got in the vault. Or how to get out.

Using RED camera technology, the film was shot in sequence in just ten days. Wedekind’s role called for his character to go without food and water for days, so he took the method approach to his acting. His daily diet consisted of an apple in the morning and a small piece of chicken at night, with nothing in between. He limited himself to drinking only half a litre of water each day, getting very close to actual dehydration. In order to appear gaunt and overtired, he constantly did pushups in between takes. After the 10 days of production, he had lost 15 lbs.

“This project is not just another horror film, and I can tell you I gave it everything I had,” said Axel Wedekind. “It’s scary, creepy and even funny at times, with deeper layers of meaning hidden just beneath the surface of the action on the screen. Definitely expect the unexpected.“

The World Premiere of “Iron Doors 3D” will take place at the Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood on Friday, October 1st at 5pm, as part of the 3DFF Hollywood, with a full red carpet press event screening and film market for distributors.

“We are thrilled to hold the World Premiere of “Iron Doors 3D” at a facility dedicated to aspiring filmmakers,” said Steve Glum, PassmoreLab's head of Branding & Distribution. “We are delighted to be a part of the 3DFF Hollywood, and we are eager to showcase this film to the industry.”

“Iron Doors 3D” is the first collaboration between PassmoreLab and Fullfeedback Productions. Jinga Films of England is the film’s sales agent. The film’s European premiere will be held six days later at the Raindance Film Festival (http://www.raindance.co.uk) in London, England.

About PassmoreLabPassmorelab, the San Diego-based multi-media 3D production studio, has the world’s largest library of 3D content available for licensing. The studio custom-designs and builds its own RED camera 3D rigs for both conventional and rugged film productions. Passmorelab’s proprietary technology for state-of-the-art 3D post production is known in the industry for quick turnaround times and competitive costs. Additional offices in Russia and the Philippines. www.passmorelab.com, or contact Steve Glum 858.200.5813.

About Fullfeedback ProductionsFullfeedback Productions is a new production company that was founded by Director Stephen Manuel and Producer Axel Wedekind in order to develop, finance and produce motion pictures for the international market. Iron Doors is their first production. www.irondoorsthemovie.com

About Jinga FilmsJinga Films is an international sales company founded in 2005 by marketing executive Rosana Coutinho and producer Julian Richards. The company was set up to offer a better deal for producers and distributors, getting films licensed without the usual costs. www.jingafilms.com

About The Dream Factory/3DFFThe Dream Factory Studio, with primary offices in Hollywood is the world leader in interactive live 3D events. 3DFF is noted as the first digital 3D film & interactive festival program of its kind in the United States. 3DFF’s non-profit initiative, whose mission is to educate and inspire independent filmmakers to use 3D as a new tool for telling their stories, operates on a sponsor supported eco-system. To become a supporter of 3DFF or for more information please visit www.thedreamfactorystudio.com or www.3dff.org.

About Los Angeles Film SchoolThe Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) is an accredited college with a campus located in the heart of Hollywood. The private post-secondary educational degree-granting college, offers degrees in film, computer animation, game production and audio with an exceptional curriculum in state-of-the- art facilities. Its campus comprises of over 250,000 square feet.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Werner Herzog’s CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 3D recently and this is the first review I have seen about it. The review comes from indieWire and it speaks rather boldly about the movie and where the reviewer thought Herzog was going with it at various times.

Here is part of the review:“Cave of Forgotten Dreams” takes a fascinating 3-D journey into the inner sanctum of heretofore undocumented cave paintings in the south of France. Destined to delight Herzog fans for its offbeat ruminations on the evolution of creativity, the movie also derives ample philosophical weight from the sheer beauty and inherent mystery of the subject at hand. Guiding the audience with his typical voiceover narration, Herzog delves into “one of the greatest discoveries in the history of human culture,” the etchings on the walls of the 1,300-foot Chauvet Cave, presumably home to the oldest paintings in the world. Owned by the French government and restricted to a handful of experts, the cave remains as mysterious as the history of its contents.

Herzog naturally plays up the enigma at hand with epic grandeur, occasionally overdoing it but usually hitting the mark. Introducing the setting with a majestic crane shot (particularly immersive in 3-D), his camera soars above the cave and surveys the desolate landscape. Unleashing cosmic observations about “the abyss of time” and the like, Herzog ventures into the darkness with his small team, carefully illuminating the 35,000-year-old artwork within. The profoundly magical aura of the footage ranges from charcoal etchings of animals in motion (“almost like a form of proto-cinema”) to hints of attempts at self-portraiture (“as if the human soul was awakened within them”).

...And yet, given the unprecedented nature of the project, Herzog’s filmmaking efforts are tightly controlled and closer to conventions of the form than his other recent non-fiction ventures. He sticks to the practical goal of exposing the art, and concludes by dedicating the movie to the cave’s discoverers. Apparently, plans are underway to open a replica of the cave for the general public, but Herzog beats them to the punch by putting this natural museum on the big screen.

Zombie fans rejoice! While I thought that the story in RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE sucked, it was made up for in spectacular 3D (Vince Pace and crew) and special effects. If director Paul W.S. Anderson is able to combine that 3D imagery with an awesome story - wow. You won't get a better lead for the movie in Milla Jovovich (Anderson's wife) as she has killing zombies down to a science.

And Milla herself has just gone on record saying: "This new Resident Evil is the first one to ever open at No. 1 worldwide. It’s the biggest movie in the franchise. So we’re definitely going to make another one. We’ve been talking to a lot of fans on Twitter and stuff, so it’s probably going to be one of the first movies where we really talk to fans to see what they want, and what characters they want to see. It's going to be a more interactive process."

So what do we need in RESIDENT EVIL 5? MORE ZOMBIES!! I mean millions of 'em. Throw Weta's MASSIVE software at it and crank it. How would you combat that many hungry walkers? Throw them in the middle of this massive abomination of humanity and let them try to get out of it. Think LEFT 4 DEAD, but with many more undead. Part of the reason AFTERLIFE sucked for me was the zombies got very little screen time and this is in fact a zombie movie. I could care less about the head of Umbrella, really. He is getting ridiculous at this point now anyway. I don't want a thinking enemy, I want an uncontrolled, massive zombie domination and Alice trying to get free of them. My two cents anyway, and they are asking for advice.

RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE holds the seventh best September opening weekend in history thanks to 3D screenings. Obviously, 3D will be a huge part of RE:5. Worldwide RE:A has raked in $70 million already.

**Small spoiler**Kinda ironic to see Wentworth Miller inside a cage in prison after his now famous role in TV's PRISON BREAK isn't it? I didn't think anything of it until later - he did seem right at home there :-)I hope Anderson listens to the public a great deal for RE:5. In other words... MORE ZOMBIES!

I am suitably impressed with the products out of Sideshow Collectibles! I received my HULKBUSTER IRON MAN Comiquette from them a few weeks ago and decided I would give you a review of the statue because it is so impressive. So I hope you enjoy!Please forgive the decidedly low tech production - I just wanted to get it out to you.

I am hoping that the Hulkbuster Iron Man armor sees light in THE AVENGERS movie (in 3D!) as it potentially could - what an awesome battle that would be: IRON MAN vs. THE HULK!

Here's the Hulkbuster description:Each piece is individually painted and finished to exacting standards, each with its own unique quality and detail that is the trademark of a handcrafted Sideshow Collectibles product. It perfectly captures Tony Stark's most formidable armor in approximately 1:6 scale.

From Wikipedia: First Appearance: Iron Man (vol. 1) #304 (May 1994). The Hulkbuster armor is a heavy-duty exo-frame (an add-on to the Mk. XI Modular Armor) designed for maximum strength amplification at the cost of reduced versatility and mobility. As its name suggests, it was specifically designed for hand-to-hand combat with the rampaging Hulk. The armor was rated with a lift (press) capacity of 175 tons. During its maiden run, the armor enabled Stark to hold his own in sustained physical combat with the Hulk. An armor similar to the Hulkbuster armor appears in Iron Man: Armored Adventures referred to as the Dynamobuster armor. Also, in the video game Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, the military forces begin using "Hulkbuster" battle-suits, which are usually of similar size to the Hulk himself.